Spring Break
Cross country teams compete at Fairfield Invitational meet
Ryan Sullivan
Issue date: 9/16/08 Section: Sports
9/16/08 - The University of Rhode Island men's cross-country team finished in sixth place with 151 points, on Sunday, at the Fairfield Invitational.
"This week was a huge improvement from the Trinity Invitational," assistant coach Kyle Poland said. "I felt like this time we raced as opposed to last race we went out there and had to get a feel for all our runners."
URI was led once again by freshman Michael Pezzullo who finished 21st overall and clocked a time of 26:56 on the hilly 5-mile course.
"Pezzullo is a fearless runner and doing a great job," Poland said, "Our captain Nate Ruchames has done an excellent job keeping the guys in line especially with the young team we have."
Behind Pezzullo's strong performance was junior Ryan Karwiel, who finished 31st overall with a time of 27:16.
The next Ram in was junior Nathan Ruchames who finished 39th with a time of 27:38. Rounding out the scoring for URI was junior Daniel Hawkins finishing 42nd (27:43) and Kevin Healey in 49th (27:56).
"Looking ahead the guys need improvement finishing the race strong in particular," Poland said. "The next few weeks will be our toughest training of the year in order to prepare for the upcoming championship races."
Rhode Island continues its schedule on Sept. 27 at the Bryant Invitational in Smithfield, R.I.
After the completion of the men's race, the URI women's cross-country team competed in its portion of the Fairfield Invitational, finishing in second place with 65 points.
"The women raced very well," said head coach Laurie Feit-Melnick. "We are all pleased with the results, but there is still much to improve upon."
URI's top runners, sophomore Brittany Pelsue and freshman Emily Zaccardi, finished with a six-seven-place finish leading the way for ram harriers.
Pelsue covered the course with a time of 19:20, while Zaccardi surging behind, in 19:22.
"Brittany and I really push each other and motivate one another during the race, which helps not only the two of us but our team as a whole," Zaccardi said.
Following their performances was junior Kathryn Allard finishing 19th with a time of 20:21, while freshman Alyssa Namey was 21st, clocking in at 20:26. Rounding out the scoring for the Rhody harriers was Caitrin Demchko 28th (20:51).
The women also return to action on Sept. 27 for the Bryant Invitational.
"This week was a huge improvement from the Trinity Invitational," assistant coach Kyle Poland said. "I felt like this time we raced as opposed to last race we went out there and had to get a feel for all our runners."
URI was led once again by freshman Michael Pezzullo who finished 21st overall and clocked a time of 26:56 on the hilly 5-mile course.
"Pezzullo is a fearless runner and doing a great job," Poland said, "Our captain Nate Ruchames has done an excellent job keeping the guys in line especially with the young team we have."
Behind Pezzullo's strong performance was junior Ryan Karwiel, who finished 31st overall with a time of 27:16.
The next Ram in was junior Nathan Ruchames who finished 39th with a time of 27:38. Rounding out the scoring for URI was junior Daniel Hawkins finishing 42nd (27:43) and Kevin Healey in 49th (27:56).
"Looking ahead the guys need improvement finishing the race strong in particular," Poland said. "The next few weeks will be our toughest training of the year in order to prepare for the upcoming championship races."
Rhode Island continues its schedule on Sept. 27 at the Bryant Invitational in Smithfield, R.I.
After the completion of the men's race, the URI women's cross-country team competed in its portion of the Fairfield Invitational, finishing in second place with 65 points.
"The women raced very well," said head coach Laurie Feit-Melnick. "We are all pleased with the results, but there is still much to improve upon."
URI's top runners, sophomore Brittany Pelsue and freshman Emily Zaccardi, finished with a six-seven-place finish leading the way for ram harriers.
Pelsue covered the course with a time of 19:20, while Zaccardi surging behind, in 19:22.
"Brittany and I really push each other and motivate one another during the race, which helps not only the two of us but our team as a whole," Zaccardi said.
Following their performances was junior Kathryn Allard finishing 19th with a time of 20:21, while freshman Alyssa Namey was 21st, clocking in at 20:26. Rounding out the scoring for the Rhody harriers was Caitrin Demchko 28th (20:51).
The women also return to action on Sept. 27 for the Bryant Invitational.
